Nav

This script was invented by Ian James, who was inspired by the language used
in James Cameron’s movie Avatar, released in December 2009. The language
Na’vi was in turn invented by linguist Paul Frommer. The speakers of this
language live on the fictional planet Pandora in a natural symbiosis with the flora
and fauna around them. Some information about the language can be found at
LearnNavi.org.

Notable features

Type of writing system: syllabary built from phonetic components

Direction of writing: left to right in horizontal lines

Easy to write

Aims for balance of organic, sophisticated and alien

Consonants

The phonology of Na’vi is fairly simple and euphonious. Here, each consonant
is shown with the vowel /a/ attached and, where applicable, in its syllabic-final
or solo form in the right column. It will be noticed that, except for the
liquids and glides, there is a family of base shapes which are modifed for
various articulations. In the official transcription used here, the only
surprise is the set of ejectives, which have x as their second letter.

Vowels, pseudo-vowels, multi-vowels

Here are the other vowels, shown with the syllable onset /p/ attached.
In the second line, the so-called pseudo-vowels /rr/ and /ll/ are shown, as
well as a diphthong and a vowel cluster.

(There is still some uncertainty over correct resolution of diphthongs
and glides within a string of vowels.)

Punctuation features simple diagonal slashes: one for comma, two for
period, three for a stressed comment or exclamation.

Examples

There is as yet very little official material available regarding Na’vi
dialogue. Here are some words and phrases gleaned from the internet.

Letrr Na'viyä

In addition, there is a non-cursive alphabet inspired by the look of
letters printed in documents of the Sky People (humans).

Sample text

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with
reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)